The senator elected to have surgery soon to ensure his rapid recovery and return to Senate duties at the earliest possible date.

“Although I would prefer to be present at this coming Tuesday’s floor session,” he said in a statement, “my doctors assure me that having this routine surgery at the earliest date ensures my ability to be present for the final vote in the best of health.”

The lone Republican senator in the State Legislature has represented Hawaii’s 9th senatorial district — Hawaii Kai, Aina Haina, Kahala and Diamond Head — since 1996.